What Are Tesla's S3XY Buttons? What Do the Steering Wheel Buttons Do?

Anyone getting into a post-2023 refreshed Model 3 or Model Y (known internally at Tesla by the codename "Highland") and looking at the steering wheel won't find the familiar stalks. No turn-signal stalk, no gear-selector stalk. In their place sit two round dials on the steering wheel itself, one on the left and one on the right, that can both be rotated and clicked. Tesla owners call these the "S3XY buttons" — the name comes from Tesla's model names: S, 3, X, Y. In this article, we explain what these two buttons actually do and why they're such a talking point.

Why Are They Called "S3XY Buttons"?

The name isn't an official Tesla term — it's a nickname coined by the community. The reason is simple: Tesla's vehicle lineup consists of the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, and when you line up their initials, you read "S3XY." The design and placement of the two scroll buttons on the steering wheel brought this joke to mind, and the name stuck and spread.

What Physically Changed?

Previous Model 3 and Model Y versions had two separate stalks:

• Right stalk: Gear selection (D/R/P) and engaging Autopilot
• Left stalk: Turn signals and some lighting settings

In the refreshed model, these stalks were removed entirely. In their place, two round buttons were mounted on the steering wheel rim itself, positioned where the driver's thumb can easily reach them. These buttons can move in three ways:

1. Scrolling up/down
2. Pressing/clicking
3. Pushing left/right (for some functions)

What Do the Left and Right Buttons Do?

By factory default, the two buttons have different jobs:

Left button (default: audio and media)

• Scroll to adjust the volume
• Click to trigger a shortcut you've selected on screen, such as pause/play or a voice command
• Push left/right to change tracks

Right button (default: Autopilot/adaptive cruise control)

• Scroll to adjust the following distance or cruise-control speed
• Click to engage Autopilot/Full Self-Driving

These default assignments aren't fixed. Both buttons' functions can be reassigned from the settings menu on the center screen; for example, you can assign the left button to steering-angle memory or a shortcut menu, and the right button to a different function.

So Where Did the Turn Signal and Gear Selector Go?

This has been the most-criticized part of the design:

• Turn signals: Moved to two physical touch buttons on the right side of the steering wheel. They stay in the same spot regardless of how many degrees you've turned the wheel, and the indicator automatically cancels the signal once the turn is complete.
• Gear selection (D/R/P): Moved to a touch-based gear indicator in the bottom corner of the center screen. In some software versions, the car can detect open space ahead of or behind it and automatically suggest a direction of travel; once the driver confirms, the gear shifts to that direction.

How Did Users React?

Reactions have been split:

• Those who got used to it: Say that reaching with your thumb is faster than using stalks, and that you can adjust volume or speed without ever taking your hands off the wheel.
• Those who didn't: Especially in the first weeks, report accidentally triggering the windshield wiper instead of the turn signal, or having to look at the screen to change gears. Some drivers criticize having to look at the screen during reverse maneuvers in particular as a safety concern.

Tesla has improved this experience over time through software updates; for example, the automatic gear suggestion and turn-signal behavior have changed multiple times via OTA (over-the-air) updates.

What to Check on a Test Drive Before Buying

If you're looking at a Model 3 or Model Y with S3XY buttons, try the following on your test drive:

• Check how comfortably your hand reaches the turn-signal buttons during right and left turns
• Observe how much the gear-shift process makes you look at the screen during a reverse maneuver
• Try reassigning the default functions of the two buttons to match your own habits

The adjustment period generally ranges from a few days to a few weeks; it can be hard to make a final judgment during a short test drive.

Conclusion

The S3XY buttons are one of the clearest examples of Tesla's approach to simplifying the cockpit. Removing the stalks in favor of two multi-function buttons delivers a faster, more modern experience for some drivers, while for others it's a change that takes some getting used to. If you'd like to compare with other models in the electric vehicle segment, check out our Electric Vehicle Buying Guide for Turkey article.

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